Abstract
China has experienced dramatic land use changes over recent decades, with marked environmental and socio-economic consequences. Hengshan County, located in the aeolian-loessial area of Northwest China, was investigated to illustrate land use changes and their implications for environmental and long-term rural economic development. The farmland in Hengshan County signiflcantly decreased during 1990{2003, whereas forest land and grassland increased. The conversion rates of farmland, orchard land, forest land and construction land varied markedly among difierent periods: 1990{1995, 1995{2000 and 2000{2003. Conversion of orchard land, grassland and construction land was dominant in 1990{1995, whereas the conversion of farmland to forest land mainly occurred in 2000{2003. The results suggested a profound transition in institutional policy and political economy of land management, including implementation of integrated soil erosion control projects, adoption of a market-oriented economy and the 'Grain-for-Green' policy, during this period in China. To achieve long-term sustainable land use in Hengshan County, efiorts should aim at increasing ofi-farm income of rural families as well as establishing land-economizing mechanisms to promote land productivity, in addition to conservation measures.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
